We were due for a resupply. And boy, were
we ready for it. Not only werewe to get new and interesting food, we were
to get the pleasure of Keir's company again. And though it wasn't certain,
there was a good chance friends from Santa Barbara would be joining us
for a few days. Someone else to talk to? It was almost too much to hope
for. Our plan was to head for the San Joaquin river, which crosses the
JMT at the junction of a trail leading towards distant Piute Pass and
North Lake. And then then next day was a shorter jog down to Blayney Meadow
near Florence Lake. There we were to await Keir (and, I prayed) Becca
and Sean.

It was another long day. Will made a fire this morning
and we left about 9- to McClure and Evolution Meadows and across Evolution
Creek. It was wide but shallow, so on went the Tevas. The trail was rough
and steep down to the Goddard Canyon and was rough and ugly to the Piute
Pass Trail. I sure prefer walking on smooth dirt.

Morning falls on Colby Meadow.

Evolution Creek. Our one picture for the next several
miles

Evolution Meadow is a spectacular stroll,
beautiful in its own right, but made special by its relative seclusion.
It's a long hike in, no matter what direction one takes. So walking through
it is like being allowed a privileged glimpse into a private wilderness.
If we weren't so interested in getting our hands on a fresh supply of
cheese and fruit, we might have taken more pictures. Take my word for
it. Very nice terrain.

The trail drops like a stone from the
mouth of Evolution Valley, gathers itself at the bottom of a steep slope,
then winds its rock-studded way down a warm canyon. It meets the San Joaquin
at a bridge where we sat and soaked. Here's a picture of Mom's feet:

Two clean feet.

We took a blessed cool water break
to soak our feet at the river. We were going to camp there (and should've)
but it was only another 3 miles to Blayney Meadows, then a complete rest
day! It was a long, hot, dry trail. We got off to investigate the hot springs
but the campsites didn't look promising. Somehow we got onto the Muir Trail
Ranch property (no camping) and hiked for an hour, finally finding our way
back onto the main trail. There were no campsite areas like I remember from
the last time we were here with Sally but we found a creek and a fire ring
and set up camp at 7:00 PM. Another 10 hour day. We must've hiked close
to 13 miles. We had rice and tortilla soup for dinner. I hope Keir shows
up with some good eats.

We decided to go the extra few miles
to Blayney Meadow. I was worried that I might miss meeting Keir at the
first ferry of the day. Our route ended up being unintentionally circuitous.
So yeah, it was a long day, thus my apparent reluctance to drag my pen
across the pages of my journal.

We made camp, crashed, and the next
morning I set off to meet the first shuttle across Florence Lake. I took
The Razor's Edge with me just in case there was any waiting to
do.

Resupply day! Keir and maybe Will's friends from Santa
Barbara, Becca and Sean, will come. Will left about 9:30 to meet them
at the dock, about 2 miles away. It's now 10:45 AM. I've washed hair and
clothes and am now in the tent. Last night we made a fire, talked and
watched for meteors. I saw 2, Will 3. This is a nice enough camp site.
It is near the trail and river but secluded. I sure like the high country
better, though. Fewer people, cooler. We have a big hike planned tomorrow-
either near or over Selden Pass. I'm really looking forward to Vermilion.

Several thousand pages
of The Razor's Edge later I returned to the campsite. Ferries had
come and gone with no sign of any cheese or fruit. Not even a peanut. So
I decide to let Keir come to us. I set up my pack as a signal and crashed
in the tent.

Will gave up waiting
and came back to camp. He left his pack on the trail as a marker. Keir and
Becca and Sean showed up after 4:30. We'd just about given up hope for that
ferry. Apparently, Keir had sprung a leak in his tire and had to stop to
put on another at Huntington Lake. And the road to Vermilion and Florence
was long and rough and took extra time to navigate. It sure was great to
see them. They set up tents and we all fixed dinner. Keir brought sausages
and beans and Milanos for dinner. We again had a fire and talked and watched
for meteors but saw only one. It is time for the Perseid meteor shower but
there is also a full moon.

Finally, Keir showed
up--Becca and Sean in tow! At that moment they become my best friends for
life. I must have been so excited I didn't think to take any pictures. Though
here are a couple of snapshots taken that evening: